Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-13
A Daughters Last kiss.
BIDS her FATHER 'aooD NIGHT" AND Is AFTERwARD
FOUND DEAD IN her ROOM.


BIDS HER FATHER GOOD NIGHT" AND Is AFTERwARD
FOUND DEAD IN her ROOM.
The New York Herald gives the following &C.
count OF the death OF Rebecca Paxton, the
daughter Of Rev. John r. Paxton, formerly OF
this city:
"Good night, daughter" said the Rev. John R.
Paxton as he kissed the forehead OF Rebecca pax
ton in the parlor of his residence No. 81 west 10th
street, on sunday night.
"GoOd night, papa," answered Rebecca. and ex.
cusing herself from the company present, the
floor.
One hour later the reverend gentleman sought
his own sleeping apartments. 10 do so he had to
pass Rebecca'S door. He saw that the gas burned
brightly and OWNED that his daughter was prob
ao %ke seeSaag' ReDeccar
But there was no response from within
tressing spectacle to the fond parent. Against
the wall In almost sitting position was the sus-
pended form OF the young girl cold in death. She
f1icted.
Three months ago the family physician suggest
ed an apparatus to be used by Rebecca, who SUI
1ered from curvature OF the spine. 1t was q
"pulley" instrument and was attached to the wall.
AT one end OF the rope were fastened braces to 90
under the chin and behind the head When the
loops are properly adjusted the rope is pulled
downward, and this forces the head erect and
gives extension and rest to the spine.
Keoe sSa Paxton was In the habit Of exercising
with the assistance Of a maid servant, on
Sunday night the servant was absent and Miss
Rebecca thought she cOnld operate the device
successfully without any help. She attended ser
vice In her fathers church (the 42d street
p r1eS Teri ,.m church, and walked home
Her improved condition, it is thought, made her
over confident and induced her to take her Gus.
tomary exercise alone. Through some false move
ment the brace supporting the chin slipped across
the throat upon pulling the rope and shut life Oh
without giving the young girl an opportunity to
make any cutlery. Death must have come quickly
and quietly. There was no indication Of Strug.
less and she fell backward with the moose pressing
about her neck
The Rev. Mr.. Paxton loosened the brace from
his daughters neck and caught up her body In his
arms. But life had already departed. He laid the
DO0y tenderly on the bed and then gave way tC
MS GRIEF, while other members OF the family were
summoned. Mrs. Paxton is away on visit, but
the Ialner when the sad accident was discovered
Ut reginald Sayre, who had for some time been
attending Miss Paxton, said to World reporter
"M1Ss Paxton must have tainted while using the
appliance. This superstition is supported by the
TACT tnat when she was found there was q wound
on the side Of her head where she had evidently
fallen against the door jamb. She was not subject
ping with her aunt, she was taken with q feeling
OF Ia1ntness and had to go out into the air. There
Is no suspicion Of suicide as Miss Paxton has
SHOWN no morbid symptoms OF mind. and none OF
the circumstances OF the case point that way. She
was accustomed to have her aunt or her maid
with her when she exercised with the appliance
but On this occasion, as her maid had gone to bed
who were spending the evening, she undertook to
take her exercise alone"